Leg exercising apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus for exercising, strengthening and conditioning the tibial and ankle areas of the leg, shin as comprises a first strap adapted to form a loop around the foot of a user, passing across the underside of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot. A metal ring is slidably attached to the underside portion of the strap to connect to an exercise resistance, such as a pulley system weight rack or an elastic cord. The first strap is held in place with the aid of a second strap extending along each side of the foot and around the heel portion and connecting at each side to the first strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to exercising devices and, in particular, to an apparatus for exercising, conditioning and strengthening the muscles and tendons in the leg. This application is a Continuation-in-Part of patent application Ser. No. 09/487,933 filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Jan. 20, 2000.

[0003] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Deterioration or injury of the lower leg area as an effect of aging or from an accident or athletic injury commonly requires physiotherapy and the use of specific apparatus designed to exercise and condition the injured or deteriorated muscles. Furthermore, such apparatus may be used by athletes or others for strengthening or conditioning healthy muscles to inhibit weakening or injury under stress. The apparatus may involve the attachment of weights or other resistance to the leg, especially the foot, to provide a variable weight resistance during the exercising of the muscles. Various devices for this purpose are known in the literature. Furthermore, various other devices and apparatus for attachment to the foot area of a user for purposes other than exercise, are known.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,850 to McNair discloses a strapping device for holding ice cleats on to a user's foot to provide traction as the wearer walks across a slippery surface, such as ice.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,890 to Covell et al discloses an anti-slipping attachment to be placed over shoes and held in place by adjustable straps.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,919 to Timmer discloses an ankle strengthening and rehabilitation device comprising a foot plate attachable by adjustable straps to a user's foot and having a fastener for attaching weighted discs or a proprioception balance element.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,857 to Jennings discloses an apparatus for applying lateral force to the leg joints of a person. The apparatus comprises a cuff to hold the leg of a user and means to attach the cuff to a substantially stationary object, such as a heavy piece of furniture.

[0009] Other patents of interest to the present invention are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,252,347 (Keeton), 1,543,346 (Titus), 5,626,544 (Foresto), 4,685,671 (Hagerman, et al), 5,558,604 (Olschansky, et al), and 5,782,727 (Pierce).

[0010] The present invention has a structure different from all of these prior art patents and many advantages over each of the structures disclosed in said patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus for use in strengthening and conditioning the medial, lateral, and anterior muscles and tendons of the leg, especially the tibial and ankle areas.

[0012] It is a further object to provide an apparatus for exercising the muscles and tendons of a user's lower leg that is of simple construction and adapted for convenient use either in professional exercise or physiotherapy facility or in the user's home.

[0013] The above and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention which provides an exercise apparatus comprising a first strap adapted to encircle the foot of a user, passing across the underside of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot; a second strap adapted to extend around the heel and along each side of said foot and attached at each end to the first strap; a movable coupling means on the first strap, positioned at the underside of the foot to permit the convenient attachment of an exercise resistance means for different portions of the foot and an exercise resistance means attachable thereto.

[0014] The straps may be made of various strong, flexible materials such as leather, cloth webbing, woven fabric, or various plastic materials, preferably nylon, and the like. The straps may be made of a moderately stretchable material such a rubber or plastic material, to slip securely over the user's foot. However, in a preferred embodiment, both the first and second strap include adjustable fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners, buckles and the like, to allow adaptation to various foot sizes, and use on bare feet as well as on various types of footgear, such as shoes, slippers, boots, athletic shoes and the like to allow the apparatus to be easily and conveniently secured to a user's foot and to maintain the apparatus securely in place during exercise. The preferred adjustable fastening means are hook and loop fasteners.

[0015] The movable coupling means may take the form of a securing loop, encircling the first strap at the underside thereof, such as a metal or plastic loop or ring, snap hook, or other device to which the exercise resistance means may be securely, but removably attached. In another embodiment, the movable coupling means may constitute one or more holes, preferably three, in the strap, optionally reinforced such as by a metal grommet, to permit the attachment of an exercise resistance device. Optionally, a metal or plastic ring or loop may be attached to each hole to provide a more convenient coupling or attachment means. Alternatively, the attachment of an exercise resistance device may be made by simply hooking or tying the exercise resistance device, or a cord extended therefrom, directly to the underside of the first strap.

[0016] Various exercise resistance means or devices may be employed and attached to the exercise apparatus. For example, an exercise resistance device such as a pulley system weight rack providing an adjustable weight system for varying resistance requirements may be employed. Various other exercise resistance or tension devices may be employed, such as an elastic cord attached at one end to the coupling and at the other end to a stationary unit, such as in an attachment means in a wall of a room. The preferred exercise resistance device, especially for convenient use in a user's home, is a bungee cord.

[0017] The movable or slidable coupling means provides a secure attachment but is adapted to slide or be repositioned to allow its use in various directions with respect to the exercise resistance means, allowing foot movement in different directions to exercise different muscles and tendons. If holes in the strap are used as the coupling means, it is preferred to position a hole in the center region and one near each side to allow the positioning of the attached exercise resistance device to be varied depending on the particular exercise intended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To further illustrate the present invention and the manner in which it may be practiced, reference is made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an exercise apparatus of the invention, in place around the foot of a user attached to an exercise resistance, and positioned for exercising the muscles and tendons of the leg by dorsiflexion and plantarflexion motions.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a bottom view the apparatus of the invention in position around the foot of a user with the foot oriented in a direction for exercising the muscles and tendons of the leg by eversion and inversion of the foot in a movement perpendicular to the body of the user.

[0022]FIG. 4 illustrates a yoking device for use in the present invention to permit the exercising of both legs of the user at the same time, especially for the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion motions.

[0023]FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus of this invention with different strength elastic cords or bungee cords.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, the exercise apparatus of the present invention comprises a first strap 1 adapted to be positioned in a loop around the forward region of a user's foot and a second strap 2 adapted to extend along each side of the foot and around the heel of the user. The two ends of second strap 2 are attached to the first strap 1, for example, by sewing, riveting, or other means as at 4 a and 4 b on each side. In a preferred embodiment, each strap has an adjustable fastening means for maintaining the apparatus securely on the foot during exercise. In the embodiment shown, the first strap 1 is adjustably secured with the aid of hook and loop fastener 3 and second strap 2 is adjustably secured by means of hook and loop fastener 5.

[0025] The exercise apparatus may be secured around the foot of a user in the manner depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. In use, the first strap 1 encircles the foot of the user, passing across the underside of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot and adjustably secured to itself by means of a fastener, such as a buckle 15 (FIG. 2), or preferably, a hook and loop fastener 3 (FIG. 1). The first strap 1 is held in place by means of second strap 2 which extends along each side of the foot and around the heel of the user. The second strap 2 may also be adjustably secured by means of a fastener, such as buckle 14.

[0026] On the underside of first strap 1 in the region of the ball of the foot, a slidable securing loop 6, encircles strap 1, optionally with an attached coupling means or fastening ring 7, to provide an attachment point for an exercise resistance means, such as an adjustable weight pulley system 10 (FIG. 2) or a bungee cord 13 (FIG. 3). The adjustable weight system 10 in FIG. 2, is connected to securing loop 6 by a spring clip 8 and cord 9 which, in turn is connected to weight 12 by means of pulleys 11 and 11 a.

[0027] It is important and critical to this invention that the coupling means be a slidable ring so as to make the various exercises easy to perform. When the dorsiflexion exercise is performed, the ring must be in the center 27 of the underside of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot. When the inversion exercise is performed, the ring must be on the outer edge of the foot in the 29 or 25 region of the ball of the foot area depending on what foot is used, i.e. left or right foot. When the eversion exercise is performed, the ring must be on the inner edge of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot 29 or 25, again, either depending on what foot is used, see FIG. 1.

[0028] In order to vary between exercises, the user must change his/her body position in relation to whatever stationary resistance apparatus is being used (or the position of the resistance must change around a stationary user—not realistic). When the user does change position, the ring coupling means must also change position on the foot. The ring coupling means 6 must be slidable so that the user can change from each exercise to the next with ease and perfectly correct positioning of the ring on the user's foot. A slidable ring automatically slides into the perfectly correct position on any user's foot; the same way water automatically seeks its own level. It is a law of nature. This is especially important because every person's foot is anatomically different from another's. A stationary means of coupling would be too difficult to use. Therefore, a slidable ring coupling means must be used. Again, slidable ring 6 is critical to this invention.

[0029] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, holes 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c are the coupling means to which hook 18 of bungee cord 13 may be attached. In the particular embodiment shown, the attachment is made at hole 16 c near the inner side of the user's foot to permit an exercise involving an eversive motion of the foot, in the direction shown by the arrow.

[0030] Although the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 shows the use of a securing loop 6 and spring clip 8 as a coupling means to connect to the adjustable weight system 10, it will be understood that various other attaching means may be employed. Thus, for example, in a very simple form, the cord 9 could be directly attached by simply looping around movable loop 6 on the strap 1 and securing in place without the spring clip 8. In a similar fashion, a hook, such as hook 18 at an end of the bungee cord 13 as depicted in FIG. 3, could be hooked directly to a loop 6 attached to strap 1, with or without the use of clip 8. However, it is highly preferred that a securing loop 6 be used so that various parts of the foot may be exercised. Optionally, holes, such as holes 16 a-c, may be provided and positioned to accept hook 18 at a position suitable for the direction of motion to be used in a particular exercise. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other coupling means may be used to accomplish the purpose so long as it is movable or means to accommodate several locations to connect the weight system 10 or the elastic cord 13. It is highly preferred, however, that the movable coupling means 6 permit the apparatus to be used in various directions to permit the exercising of various muscles in the tibial and ankle regions. In the illustration of FIG. 2, the user is positioned to exercise the muscles involved in flexing the foot in a direction parallel to the user's leg. In a different orientation, as in FIG. 3 (90 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 2) the user may be positioned to exercise the muscles involved in inversive or eversive movement of the foot against the resistance of the exercise resistance device.

[0031] Various other arrangements may be made for exercising other areas of the leg or for convenience in attaching the exercise resistance means. Thus, for example, an elastic cord 13, such as a bungee cord or elastic cord 13, could be looped around a leg of a heavy piece of furniture and both hooks attached to securing loop 6 or directly to strap 2. Furthermore, the exercise apparatus may be used from various positions. For example, the user may be in a standing position, or sitting in a chair, or sitting or lying on the floor during exercise. When the bungee cord 13 is used rather than the weight rack shown in FIG. 2, it is very important to this invention that the cords 13 be of different resistances for different size and strength users.

[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, a yoke 24, as shown in FIG. 4, may be employed to allow the exercise of both of a user's legs at the same time. Yoke 24 comprises a rigid bar 21, made, for example, of wood, metal plastic or the like, having an attachment means, such as clips 22 a and 22 b, which may be of metal, plastic, or other suitable material, at each end, and a centrally positioned attachment means, such as ring 23. In use, clips 22 a and b are attached respectively to strap 1, for example at securing loop 6 of the exercise apparatus on each of the user's feet and the exercise resistance device is attached at ring 23.

[0033] In FIG. 5, a closed door or a heavy piece of furniture 30 can secure the resistance bands 13. The resistance bands 13 are comprised of three to five individual pieces of rubber hollow tubing or bungee cord with each having a different tensile strength, less to greater. Each resistance band 13 is approximately three feet long. Each band is connected to a metal or plastic welded ring at the base of the resistance band unit (to be described later) by a fastening means or a knot. A metal or plastic clasp hook or other coupling means is connected to the other end of each resistance band by a fastening means or a knot. The said clasp hook or other coupling means is connectable to the slidable ring coupling means at the underside of either of the first straps of the two exercise apparatuses. Said apparatuses can be used individually for certain exercises. The said clasp hook or other coupling means is also connectable to the centrally positioned fixed coupling means of the rigid bar yoke so that both exercise apparatuses can be used at the same time.

[0034] The resistance bands 13 can be individually connected or connected in any tandem combination to either slidable ring or to the centrally positioned fixed coupling means of the yoke. This allows the user to exercise with a variety of different resistance strengths.

[0035] The aforementioned base of the resistance band unit is comprised of a plastic, metal or wooden tube that is approximately three inches long by two inches in diameter. Said tube is wrapped by nylon webbing or other material as used in aforementioned exercise apparatuses. The nylon webbing is also attached to the aforementioned metal or plastic welded ring. Said ring is connected to each resistance band. Said tube and, consequently, entire resistance band unit can be securable by a closed door by sliding nylon webbing of resistance band apparatus underneath a door and closing the door on the webbing. This means that said tube is closed on one side of the door, unable to slide under the door, thus providing fixed resistance and the resistance bands will be on the other side of the door for the user to attach to exercise apparatuses.

[0036] The base of the resistance band 13 unit also comprises of two pieces of nylon webbing or other material each approximately ¾ inches wide by 12 inches long. Said pieces are attached to nylon webbing or other material that is wrapped around aforementioned tube. Said pieces can be tied or fastened by a snap or other fastening device around the leg of a heavy piece of furniture so as to provide the other means of fixed resistance for the resistance bands.

[0037] In FIG. 5, in place of or in lieu of the weight rack 11, 11 a and 12 of FIG. 2, this FIG. 5 illustrates a bungee cord or resistance bands 13. These resistance bands or elastic cords 13 can be preselected depending upon the weight resistance desired. For example, a blue elastic cord 13 or longer cord 13 have a resistance of three pounds while a red cord 13 or shorter cord 13 may have a resistance equal to five pounds. A woman or less muscular man or beginner may want to start with a resistance band 13 of one pound and eventually work up to ten pounds or higher. The elastic cord or resistance bands 13 can be attached on one end to movable ring 6 and can be secured on the other end of a stationary object such as the leg of a sofa, a pipe, a table leg or the like as shown as support 30 in FIG. 5.

[0038] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus for use in exercising the muscles and tendons of a user's leg comprising: a first strap adapted to form a loop around the foot of the user passing across the underside of the foot in the region of the ball of the foot; a second strap adapted to extend around the heel portion and along each side of the foot of the user and attached at each end to said first strap; a slidable loop attached to an underside of said first strap to permit applying pressure to different portions of said foot and said leg by locating an attached elastic cord to different sections of said loop.
 2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 including a movable coupling means associated with said first strap and positioned at the underside of the user's foot, said second strap having a longer length than said first strap, both said first and second straps configured to fit around the side and front portion of said foot.
 3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said movable coupling means is attached to said slidable loop, said loop slidably attached to said first strap and positioned at the underside thereof.
 4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first strap encircles an entire front portion of said foot and includes an adjustable fastening means.
 5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second strap includes an adjustable fastening means.
 6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said adjustable fastening means is a hook and loop fastener.
 7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said adjustable fastening means is a buckle.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 2 additionally including an exercise resistance device attachable to said coupling means.
 9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said exercise resistance device is a weight and pulley exercise system.
 10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said exercise resistance device is an elastic cord, said elastic cord having varying elastic strengths to accommodate various exercise needs.
 11. An exercise apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said elastic cord is a bungee cord having pre-selected tensile strengths.
 12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said movable coupling means is a securing loop slidably attached to said first strap at the underside thereof.
 13. An exercise apparatus according to claim 12 additionally including an exercise resistance device attachable to said coupling means.
 14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said exercise resistance device is a weight and pulley system.
 15. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said exercise resistance device is an elastic cord.
 16. An exercise apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said elastic cord is a bungee cord.
 17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said movable coupling means comprises at least one hole through said first strap on the underside thereof.
 18. An exercise apparatus according to claim 17 additionally including an exercise resistance device attachable to said coupling means.
 19. An exercise apparatus for use in exercising the muscles and tendons of a user's leg comprising: a first strap adapted to form a loop around the front portion of a foot of the user passing across the underside of the foot in the ball-foot region thereof, said first strap being adjustably securable on the upper side thereof by a hook and loop fastener and having a movable coupling means at the underside thereof for the attachment of an exercise resistance means thereto; a second strap which is longer than said first strap and is adapted to extend around the heel portion and along each side of the foot of the user and attached at a front end to said first strap, said second strap being adjustably securable along a side portion thereof; an exercise resistance means attachable to said coupling means; said first and second straps being configured to fit around a user's foot; said first strap having a movable loop or coupling means attached thereto, said loop movable to different locations on the bottom of said first strap to provide the exertion of pressure to different parts of said foot.
 20. An exercise apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said movable coupling means is a securing loop encircling said first strap at the underside thereof and said exercise resistance means is a bungee cord or resistance elastic tubing. 